Painkiller_(Ruel_song)
Painkiller (Ruel song)
2019 single by Ruel
"Painkiller" is a song recorded by Australian singer-songwriter Ruel. The song was released on 1 May 2019 as the lead single from his second extended play, Free Time.[1] The song sees Ruel reunite with producer M-Phazes and Sarah Aarons (whom he had both collaborated with on his 2017 EP Ready), and collaborate with songwriter Hiren Mor for the first time.[2]
| "Painkiller" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Ruel | ||||
| from the EP Free Time | ||||
| Released | 1 May 2019 (2019-05-01) | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 3:33 | |||
| Label | RCA/Sony Music Australia | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | M-Phazes | |||
| Ruel singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Painkiller" on YouTube | ||||
In May 2020, a remix featuring American rapper Denzel Curry was released, alongside the announcement of a forthcoming remix EP. The Painkiller remix EP was released on 12 June 2020.[3]
The song placed third at the 2020 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition.[4]
The music video for "Painkiller" was released on 1 May 2019.[5]
Sose Fuamoli from Triple J said the song is "marked by bold bass and melodic work", saying "'Painkiller' is a track that sees Ruel step into a more mature songwriting space, leaning more into rich R&B notes and letting his natural cadence and rhythmic notes flourish. His soul and jazz influences bleed through on this single too, finding and connecting with that bass groove with ease."[6]
Alissa Arunarsirakul from Ones to Watch said "'Painkiller' is drenched with warm violins, groovy bass lines, and luscious vocals".[7]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry) | 3:47 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry) | 3:47 |
| 2. | "Painkiller (Mr. Carmack Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry) | 3:30 |
| 3. | "Painkiller (Taka Perry Remix)" | 3:23 |
| 4. | "Painkiller (Young Franco Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry) | 4:22 |
| Total length: | 15:02 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Painkiller" | 3:33 |
| 2. | "Painkiller (Instrumental Version)" | 3:33 |
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[18] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[19] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Country | Date | Format | Version | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1 May 2019[1] | Digital download, streaming | Original | RCA, Sony Music Australia |
| Australia | 27 May 2020[8] | Digital download, streaming | Denzel Curry remix | RCA, Sony Music Australia |
- "Painkiller – Single by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- "SOTD: Ruel sets the tone for next EP with 'Painkiller'". The Music Network. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- Newstead, Al (26 May 2020). "First Spin: Ruel drops 'Painkiller' remix featuring Denzel Curry". ABC. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
...This new version of 'Painkller' [sic] forms part of a complete remix package - alongside reworks from Young Franco, Taka Perry, and Mr. Carmack - that's released Friday 5 June.
- "Thelma Plum's "Better in Blak" Wins Vanda & Young Songwriting Comp". Billboard. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- "Ruel - Painkiller (Official Video)". 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019 – via YouTube.
- "First Spin: Ruel's 'Painkiller' is another addictive piece of pop-R&B from one of Australia's brightest". ABC. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- "Ruel's Refreshingly Soulful "Painkiller" Is Just What the Doctor Ordered". Ones to Watch. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- "Painkiller (feat. Denzel Curry) – Single by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Jova, Natalie (27 May 2020). "Ruel releases "Painkiller featuring Denzel Curry"". Holr Magazine. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- "Painkiller (Remix Pack) – EP by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- Hood, Sara (14 July 2021). "Ruel. Painkiller". Record Store Day Australia. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- "Ruel – Painkiller". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- "ARIA Australian Artist Singles Chart". ARIA. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- "Digital Chart – Week 12 of 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- "ARIA Australian Artist End of Year Singles Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- "ARIA Australian Artist End of Year Singles Chart 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- 2021년 Digital Chart [2021 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- "American single certifications – Ruel – Painkiller". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 February 2021.